Lina the Lion Dancer - Zayton Cup 2021

I won two awards for Lina the Lion Dancer

In 2021, I won the Bronze Award and the Most Market Value Award for my sculpture Lina the Lion Dancer at the Zayton Cup International Design Competition in China.

Lina is my playful tribute to the traditional lion dance. She holds a ball of lettuce, nibbles it, then spits it out for luck and prosperity. She is spirited and a little naughty, yet humble enough to invite you to rub her head for peace and harmony.

The story behind Lina

I grew up fascinated by how animals move and feel. They cannot speak for themselves, so I try to give their emotions a voice through form, rhythm and surface. With Lina, I wanted to bring a classic cultural icon into the 21st century. She stands proudly like a guardian lion, yet her expression and gesture are light, curious and welcoming.

As a gift, Lina symbolizes wealth and good fortune.

At home, she stands as a cheerful protector to ward off bad energy.

In public, she is a modern and stylized nod to a long and rich Chinese cultural tradition that is recognized across the globe.

The process started with hand sketches that I translated into 3D drawings. After digitizing Lina, I created a series of 3D printed prototypes to refine proportion, balance and surface.

Dimensions

Length: 298 mm
Width: 293 mm
Height: 300 mm

For the final artwork, I used  red, gold and silver. The mirror-like finish enhances movement and brings the playful personality forward.